Massage Therapy For Neck Pain
Massage therapy is an effective treatment for many types of neck pain. Not only does it relieve discomfort and stiffness, but also promotes mobility and prevents future flare-ups. Furthermore, massage therapy reduces blood pressure and heart rate, promotes relaxation, and helps reduce stress.
Massage has been practiced in the West for over 5,000 years and remains popular today. It consists of various techniques like effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading) and friction.
According to your needs, a licensed massage therapist uses various long stroking movements and gentle kneading techniques to relax your muscles. During your appointment, they will review your medical history and pinpoint where you feel pain so they can create a personalized plan to reduce neck discomfort.
If you’re experiencing neck pain, the most important step is finding an experienced licensed therapist who specializes in this condition. These professionals possess the training and expertise to help reduce your discomfort, correct posture problems and regain mobility.
Swedish massage is the most common type of massage, using long effleurage strokes and kneading movements to relax your muscles. Other types of massage include deep tissue, myofascial release, and reflexology.
A typical massage session lasts around 90 minutes and is performed in a relaxing heated room. The therapist will work to loosen the muscles and connective tissues of your back, neck, shoulders, and upper arms.
Massage comes in many forms, but some of the most popular include:
Active Release Techniques, or ART for short, are an advanced form of clinical massage that uses specific movements to decompress and break up adhesions that might be restricting motion. ART is often employed when dealing with chronic pain caused by injury or muscle imbalances.
It’s essential to note that while ART can be an effective treatment for neck pain, it may not be suitable for everyone. People with severe arthritis, fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions should not try ART.
It is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as further damage to the spinal column and nerves could result in various issues throughout the body.
Neck pain often stems from poor posture habits that can be corrected by a trained personal trainer with clinical massage and Active Release Techniques training. Once these habits are addressed and changed, pain will gradually decrease in the short term while making your body more flexible and limber in the long run.
Exercise and a nutritious diet can also aid in increasing neck mobility, while simultaneously relieving pain and inflammation from within the body.
At Innovation Spine Medical in New York City and Jersey, our licensed therapists are here to collaborate with you on finding the best way to eliminate your neck pain and prevent future episodes. We can create a personalized pain management program that incorporates manual massage with other non-surgical solutions for maximum benefit.